CH 72

“… Phew, what a luxurious problem to have,” Kanata murmured while staring blankly on his bed.

Although several days had passed since Maria had conveyed her feelings to him, there was naturally a reason why he was troubled like this.

“Kanata-kun, let’s spend time together?” 

“Kanata-sama, would you like to spend time with me?”

Although they didn’t call out to him in a way that was too noticeable, they both waited for the right moment to speak up and address Kanata together.

Well, in itself, this did not change anything from before, but Kanata was trembling at their sincere expression of affection after they had both conveyed their feelings to him.

“What I’m doing… must be terrible.”

While aware of their feelings, Kanata felt guilty for being so vague about it.

In the first place, there was no need for him to hold such feelings, as both of them had told him. Nevertheless, Kanata still hesitated.

“I have memories from my past life. However, since I’m already living in this world, I don’t have to worry about it at all.”

Precisely because he had memories from his past life, he was not accustomed to the idea of having multiple wives.

[TLN: Dem, Why you liek this Kanata!?]

[EDN: I mean, we could see it coming from so far away, it would have made me believe Earth’s curvature didn’t exist.]

Without a doubt, both Maria and Alphana were wonderful women to Kanata, and he was also attracted to them, as they had helped him in many ways.

“Having Maria and Alphana both…?”

Kanata decided to take all his troubles out of his head momentarily.

He imagined spending his days with both of them as his girlfriends, just enjoying his time with them as he wished, and his body trembled in ecstasy.

“Just imagining spending those days with two beautiful girls… feels sinful.”

While a real harem was unrealistic, a part of him whispered that it would be fine in this other world.

“Well, no, it’s not like it’s a harem or anything. It’s normal to choose one person, right…?”

How petty… precisely because both were so attractive and were Kanata’s type… because both were so important to Kanata, he couldn’t choose between them.

He hated his indecisiveness, but he understood why he was drawn to Maria and Alphana after reflecting on the impact they have had on him and their kindness.

“Haah…”

For Kanata, who had just turned seventeen, being pursued by two women is a luxurious dilemma and a significant factor that will affect his future.

Oh, troubled youth. Kanata was in such a state now. 

Afterwards, he couldn’t sit still on his bed and went out into the city as usual to distract himself.

“Alright, let’s just wander around for a bit.”

He intended to refresh himself that way. 

“… Why are you guys here anyway?” 

Kanata was supposed to be walking alone in the capital city, so why were two people by his side now?

“It’s no big deal, Kanata.” 

Garula, a demon and birdman, and… 

“I just wanted to see you. I never thought I’d be with this guy.” 

… Lucia, a succubus and also a demon.

He hadn’t seen Gurura since he went to the Demon Kingdom, and he hadn’t seen Lucia since the Mint and Yua incident.

Both seem to hide their demon-specific wings and horns with magic, so they just looked like a large man and a s**y woman. 

“This capital city is as lively and peaceful as ever. The Demon Kingdom has always been like this lately. Well, peace is always the best.”

“You say that a lot, even though you’re known as a martial arts enthusiast and a hot-blooded person in the Demon Kingdom.”

“Don’t bring up old things.”

Garula and Lucia exchange insults, but Kanata knows they are a good pair. 

They do not seem to have any romantic feelings for each other, but they treat each other as solid comrades and respect each other as equals at the same time. 

“Where’s Shrouza?”

“Playing with the kid at Mint’s place.”

“Oh?”

“She likes her very much because she is Kanata’s child.”

“… I see.”

Strictly speaking, it’s not as if Yua is Kanata’s child. Of course, everyone understands that. However, it seems Shrouza is quite fond of Yua. 

Lucia told him that Yua wanted to meet Kanata, and they promised to meet next time.

“So? You seemed troubled about something?”

“I was also curious. Would you mind telling us?”

It seemed they had noticed that Kanata was troubled about something.

Kanata hesitated a little but decided to ask indirectly.

“I was wondering about men who have relationships with multiple women. I feel like it’s the worst and impossible.”

When Kanata spoke, Garula laughed with interest, and Lucia stared at Kanata with widened eyes.

Although confused by their completely different reactions, Kanata suddenly realized it was a weird question and apologized.

“You don’t need to apologize. I understand somewhat,” Garula said, putting his arm around Kanata’s shoulder.

The feeling of being embraced by strong arms gave Kanata a sense of security and the feeling of having an older brother. Not only was Garula’s size impressive, but also his reassuring presence.

“I don’t think it’s a big deal. When you say a man who has relationships with multiple women, it’s not just a physical relationship but something closer, right? If you think about being able to make multiple women happy, isn’t that a good thing?”

“Is that so?”

“At least, that’s what I think. Besides, whether it’s one person, two people, or more if someone directs their feelings towards you, it’s a sign that you’re a good man. Have confidence, Kanata.”

“It’s not me, though.”

“Haha, let’s just say it is.”

Kanata’s head was vigorously patted, and he told Garula to stop, but he didn’t really push him away.

“Garula is like an older brother to me. Well, I’ve never had a sibling, though.”

“Kanata as my little brother? That means I’m never gonna be bored,” Garula said jokingly.

They laughed together.

Meanwhile, Lucia, who was left out of the conversation, pouted discontentedly.

Although Lucia often spoke bluntly to Garula, she seemed unable to speak up while feeling frustrated that the atmosphere between Kanata and Garula was too good.

“It’s about time, Garula. Let me borrow Kanata-kun,” Lucia said, embracing Kanata tightly.

As always, her sweet fragrance and soft resilience were something any woman could have, but as a succubus, she had an irresistible charm that made his head spin.

“I’m not going to continue your previous conversation, but Kanata-kun, you should have more confidence in yourself. You certainly captivated many people as Haishin and became a world-renowned figure, but you were Kanata-kun before being Haishin,” she said, gently and lovingly stroking Kanata, unlike Garula earlier.

If one were to feel strength in a man, would it be a sense of inclusiveness in a woman?

“You are changing more people than you think. The Demon King, myself, Garula, and everyone else you’ve been involved with, it goes without saying.”

“Yeah, I guess so.”

“That’s why… It might be even more difficult from now on, Kanata-kun.”

“Huh?”

She didn’t say what that difficulty meant, but Kanata couldn’t help but feel a sense of foreboding that something difficult was going to happen.

“Hey Kanata, how about spending a few days at Lucia’s place to forget about your troubles?”

“Lucia’s place?”

“It’s a gathering place for succubi, but in a way, it’ll make you forget about the troubles you’re feeling now.”

Kanata tilted his head in response to Garula’s words, and Lucia nodded in agreement.

“That’s right. From morning till night, dozens of succubi, including myself, will be by your side. Your lower half never gets thirsty, and it’s always a pleasurable time.”

“That’s… a little scary,” Kanata said, voicing his concern.

But what Garula probably meant was that being thrown into a gathering place of succubi and inevitably having relationships with multiple succubi would make Kanata realize that his current troubles were small and easy to throw away. It was a harsh treatment that would drive that idea into Kanata’s mind.

“Well, I’m against it too, but ultimately, it’s up to you and how you feel.”

“Lucia…”

“What do you think?”

“I will not allow any other succubus to touch him, even if we are fans. If anyone were to do it, it should be just me.”

“…”

As expected, succubi were faithful to their desires.

After chatting with the two of them for a little while longer, Kanata saw them off as they returned to the Demon Kingdom, and then he returned to his dormitory. 

Kanata’s troubles were far from over, but their words of encouragement were deeply engraved in his heart.